University of Kentucky MBA alumna Mary Beth Wright, Business Development Executive at Messer Construction was recognized in The Lane Report's "Top Women in Business", along with other professional women. This feature highlights some of the women around Kentucky (and southern Indiana) who are making an impact in business, their professions, politics, and economic development. 

Wright, who received her Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in mathematics and an MBA all from the University of Kentucky, has been with Messer Construction for 17 years and currently works as their Business Development Executive. Some of her accomplishments have included being named the University of Kentucky College of Engineering Young Engineer of the Year (2015), Chair of the Lexington Downtown Development Authority (LDDA), which Mary worked the board to merge with the Downtown Lexington Corp. (DLC) into a single organization called the Downtown Lexington Partnership along with leading sales efforts for Messer Construction Co. in over $700 million of investment in capital construction at the University of Kentucky in the last seven years, as well as the recent $241-million construction contract for the expansion and renovation to the Lexington Convention Center and Rupp Arena.

When asked for advice for younger women in business, Mary Beth says, "Always stay focused on the present and maintain a positive perspective. There are many things throughout your day, week, month and career that you cannot control. But having a positive mindset to start each day makes all the difference in how we handle what comes our way."